COUNTERPOINT SA 5.1 PREAMPLIFIER

This preamp has been my workhorse for a number of years, but the upgrade bug has bitten and I am powerless to resist. The unit was sent to AltaVista (the old Counterpoint folks) in Bend Oregon about two years ago to be checked out and serviced if needed. It was given a clean bill of health and sent back and has been in use ever since. If I were going to keep it I would put a new set of tubes in it as I think the other tubes are sounding a litlle tired. This is why I have not priced this preamp much higher. Mechanically all switches work and are noise free, if you are a fanatic I would check all rca connections for weak solder joints ( but that is only for us fanatics) then you could be 100% sure that the unit is mechanically sound. Cosmetically I am giving it an 8 of 10. The face is pretty clean then just very minor scuffs that are consistent with a 20 year old piece of gear. You will not be dissapointed in its appearance. Sonically this is the one to own - you have to pay ALOT of money to beat its performance - either line or phono. I could give you all the flowery language but you can check the net for reviews - you wont find a bad review. From the altaVista website: This preamplifier was introduced in 1985 as the SA-5. It was updated to "point one" status with the addition of an auto-mute feature in 1986. It features all-tube phono and line stages and a vacuum-tube power supply. As manufactured, phono stage designed for cartridges with MM-level (4.7mV) output only. MC option available with upgrading. Technical Summary: The unit has two 6DJ8 tubes in the phono stage and two 6DJ8's in the line stage. As with all Counterpoint preamps, there are two gain stages in the phono section with passive riaa equalization. The line stage is a single-stage. There is no loop feedback. Four line-level inputs, two sets of tape outputs and one set of Main outputs. Line Input Selector, riaa/Line select (listen), riaa/Line select (tape send), Right and Left Channel Level Trims, Gain, Balance, Stereo-mono, Mute, Standby, On-Off controls. Aluminum front panel finished in black or silver anodize. Discontinued middle of 1991. In case the new and improved Audiogon is having a bad day my email is: [email protected] Comes with its own box and manual. Buyer pays shipping. Sold as is because tubes should be replaced.